A passive Prime Minister who prefers process over politics.

[TeenagersAngst]

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-news-agents/id1640878689?i=1000755128315

Quite the listen. A worrying review of Keir Starmer’s approach to being to the top man in the job.

Are balance and nuance the same thing?

Did Farage and Badenoch know?

Looks like someone forgot to tell them.

I don't see how you can have nuance in a discussion, when you're only willing to consider one viewpoint.

They're not the same thing, obviously, but one's a necessary condition for the other.

Agree

Last time I checked, Mumsnet was a forum for opinions. I have my opinions, you have yours. There’s the balance. It’s not for me to provide it. Unless Mumsnet has issued new laws on how to start a thread.

Have you listened to the podcast yet?

And FYI @AStonedRose the nuance I was seeking (as I explained upthread) was a discussion on the merits of the points put forward in the podcast. Only two or three posters so far have engaged with that. Everyone else has resorted to 'But Trump', 'But Boris' - as if that's some sort of nuanced debate on whether or not what the Times journalists were reporting was reasonable.

I assume that's because hardly anyone has actually listened to the podcast.

Very good podcast, listened to it last night, thanks OP.

The authors of the book have interviewed many ppl in KS circle, it is not an opinion piece. I am sure they have their personal opinion of KS but they report verified facts.

what floored me was that he picked mandelson as US ambassador (despite the warnings) without ever meeting or talking to him once, either to probe him or give him instructions about what he was supposed to achieve for the UK. It’s Boris levels of carelessness and laziness. Absolute bottom.

Who cares. Keir Starmer (or whoever is operating his puppet strings) is the one making the decision supposedly.

Be grateful then that those two aren't in power with their lack of knowledge and Trump support

The authors also said that they conform to what their Times editor wants them to write

My feeling about Sir Keir Starmer is that in a way, he doesn't do politics. Similarly could have said the same thing about Rishi Sunak when he was Prime Minister.

At the time of the election in 2024 I thought the main impact would be that the Tories would not be in office to inflict further damage to our public services and this country more widely. I was not expecting much from the new government, even though my limited expectations have not been met.

Keir Starmer doesn't know what hes doing either. He can't assist in the US because our armed forces aren't in a position to do so. Its not some great position of principle.

I happen to agree with the premise we shouldnt join this war. Mainly due to Trump being so rude about our armed forces last time we assisted the US. Plus we need to focus on Ukraine. But I don't think Starmer has any conviction about anything so he won't suddenly have now. Remember...he doesn't read and has no knowledge of history...

@Smeuse

Did Farage and Badenoch know?

You're asking if Farage and Badenoch knew that the UK could only put one operational carrier to sea?

That's not a state secret, it's well known and something much grumbled about discussed in places where that sort of thing is discussed so you'd expect them or their advisors to know.

When it comes to naval matters and decision making the carrier isn't really yhe problem...it's the tardiness in deciding to deploy air defence assets on the form of a Type 45 that needs addressing...there's a suspicion the spads are lining up the Chief of the Defence Staff to take the fall for that.

Doubt it. Remember one of the journalists (Gabriel Progrund) was the one that Keir Starmer and Labour Together tried to smear by making up lies about him when he uncovered the dodgy Labour accounting.

Remember...he doesn't read and has no knowledge of history...

Odd. The podcast which is the subject of this thread criticises him for doing little but reading …

The podcast also mentions that he doesn’t have a favourite book. I assume that’s what PP was referring to although I could be wrong.

I don’t either. It’s like being asked to choose your favourite child. And I get through two or three books a week.

I actually agree with you. But I don’t think the suggestion is that he reads too much. I think it’s that he doesn’t read at all (other than work related documents).

https://news.sky.com/video/politicians-need-to-read-novels-to-make-better-decisions-says-the-book-club-podcast-host-13520412

I think he's doing a good job. Very happy to have a thoughtful considered PM.
Nobody would be perfect at the job.

The good thing is, he isn’t Trump.

Well yes, that is one thing you can say about Starmer.

And so endeth the nuanced conversation.

It wasn’t.

Did you listen to the podcast? 🤣

I don't know how often you listen to the News Agents, but the latest one on Trump, titled 'has Trump lost it' is worth listening to.